04/22/2025 | Blog

A Conversation on IPM

DPR Director Karen Morrison in a panel session with Scott Park, Founder, Park Farming Organics, Lisa Worthington, Chief, Office of Natural Resources Management, Caltrans and Karen Cowan, Executive Director, California Stormwater Quality Association


At the IPM Achievement Awards Ceremony on February 26, 2025, DPR highlighted cross-sector collaboration to advance a wide-scale transition to sustainable pest management by 2050.

To kick off the awards ceremony, DPR Director Karen Morrison moderated a keynote panel session focused on implementing safer, more-sustainable pest management practices in California. The conversation included (pictured above, from right to left):

  • Scott Park, Founder, Park Farming Organics
  • Lisa Worthington, Chief, Office of Natural Resources Management, Caltrans
  • Karen Cowan, Executive Director, California Stormwater Quality Association

Director Morrison started the session by asking Scott Park what advice he would give to people who identify challenges in implementing IPM, whether at home or on a farm. Scott shared his approach to pest issues as a solution to a larger problem as a more effective method to address pest problems before they occur. Park shared an anecdote about trial and error and eventual success with growing rice organically and how managing the correct problem led to other benefits in the growing process, such as using less water.

The conversation moved to asking Karen Cowen how she presents the importance of sustainable pest management in a way that is compelling and understandable to different audiences. She shared her experience with communication comes from bringing people and organizations together and using language that everyone will understand.

Lisa Worthington was asked about  the importance of public institutions and state agencies practicing sustainable pest management. Lisa shared that coordinating and collaborating with other agencies, and having discussions about the impacts of choices, are critical in managing things like invasive vegetation without causing unintended consequences. She also shared how Caltrans and the Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force look at pest management through the lens of the larger issue of managing vegetation in California to both prevent invasive plants and ensure resilient vegetation in the face of climate stressors like wildfire.

IPM: The foundation of Sustainable Pest Management.

DPR Director Karen Morrison asked the panelists to share what excites them about the future of pest management in California.

Scott said that getting farmers to change is a challenge, but sharing the concept of “nature is your friend” is exciting to him.

Lisa Worthington said solving statewide pest management problems is a big, challenging task, but she sees that as an invitation to try alternative practices and bring in new experts, like tribal partners. Karen Cowan voiced her excitement about working on educational campaigns to help people choose less-toxic products and to give the public ownership in the urban environment.

The expertise and perspectives of the panelists emphasized the importance and need for sustainable pest management throughout California and further highlighted the important accomplishments of IPM Achievement Award winners.

Watch the full keynote panel session on the DPR YouTube Channel.

DPR is currently accepting nominations through June 30, 2025, for the next award cycle. To submit a nomination, visit the IPM Achievement Award – Nomination Form.

Check out Highlights from the IPM Achievement Awards blog post to learn more about this year’s event.